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Nomenclature Database

Abstract - Many people who need to write technical documents do not know that there exist standards for writing letter symbols. When a Lecturer or Professor gives a lesson, the symbols used are transmitted to the students so they learn which symbols must be used for each magnitude. But in many cases, the symbols employed by the professor are not the standard ones for that magnitude. And in different subjects, different symbols are employed for the same magnitude, so students are confused. This database contains more than 400 letter symbols, units and international standards related to nomenclature. It is used to correct nomenclature in the Departamento de Comunicaciones of the Universidad Politécnica de Valencia. The database is compressed in a self-extracting archive. It works on a PC with the Microsoft Access 2.0 program.

Using the Database

The database is compressed in a self-extracting archive. It works on a PC with Microsoft Access 2.0. To use this database, save the file NOMENCLA.EXE in a directory and run it. It will create two files. The one with extension MDB is the database. Open this file with Microsoft Access. The next picture shows what can be seen when opening the database.

You can use the Spanish or the English version. For the English version you can select the button on the upper left.

Here, the English version is explained. The same explanation is valid for the Spanish version.

Under the name "Data:" five buttons appear:

• Symbols: Form to add or correct letter symbols.
• Units: Form to add or correct units.
• Standards: Form to add or correct standards.
• ?: Access to help.
• (Exit door icon): Exits the database.

Under the name "Listings:" two columns of buttons appear. From the ones on the right, different subjects can be selected and the corresponding listing appears.

The ones on the left contain symbol listings in different orders:

• General: Listing of all symbols.
• Classified by standard: Listing of symbols including number, name, chief symbol, reserve symbol and unit, ordered by standard.
• Out of standards: Listing of symbols not included in any standard.
• Global by name: Listing of symbols including number, name, chief symbol, reserve symbol and unit, ordered by name.
• Global by symbol: Listing of symbols including number, name, chief symbol, reserve symbol and unit, ordered by symbol.

As an example, one part of a global listing by name is included in the following figure.

This database is continuously growing and improving. The latest version can be found at the site:

http://www.upv.es/dcom/nomenclatura/nomencla.exe

If anyone is interested in a new symbol definition or in any other question related to letter symbols and nomenclature, please send an e- mail message to: vrodrigo@dcom.upv.es

The link to Nomenclature Database home page is: http://www.upv.es/dcom/nomenclatura/datos.htm

References

International Electrotechnical Comission (IEC).

1. International Standard IEC 27-1. Letter symbols to be used in electrical technology. Part 1: General.Sixth edition. 1992-12.Geneve.Suisse.
2. IEC Recommendation 27-2. Letter symbols to be used in electrical technology. Part 2: Telecommunications and electronics. First edition. 1972.Geneve.Suisse.
3. IEC Standard 27-2A. First supplement to Publication 27-2 (1972) Letter symbols to be used in electrical technology. Part 2: Telecommunications and electronics. 1975.Geneve.Suisse.
4. IEC Standard 27-2B. Second supplement to Publication 27-2 (1972) Letter symbols to be used in electrical technology. Part 2: Telecommunications and electronics. 1980.Geneve.Suisse.

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